Author's note: Goodness, it's been forever. Sorry about that! I'm happy to say that I finished National Novel Writing Month with a win! And now I'm going to focus again on fanfiction after a quasi-break.
This chapter has some big events! Are you ready? I cannot wait to hear what you have to say about it. Come visit me on Tumblr! I'm HPfanonezillion over there, too! (booksrockmyface is still active, but this is for fanfiction only.)
Many thanks to my beta Everlylark for all the great notes and help with this chapter and the whole story. More chapters coming your way very soon, my dear!
Happy reading!
Chapter Nine
Katniss always felt stressed when she was in the crowded Hawthorne house. Until the girls came along, she stuck to Gale's side like glue. Now, she still spent most of her time beside him, but she also spent plenty of time observing the growing number of children as they played.
Vick and his wife had married just out of high school, almost like the rest of the married clan. They had a set of three-year-old twin boys and another of girls that were just shy of a year old.
Posy, just fresh out of high school, had just had a baby boy a few months before. She and her boyfriend broke up not long after and he was out of the picture. But Posy was managing college life just fine with the baby. He spent a lot of time in the main office, but some of Posy's professors were okay with her bringing him to class, especially the evening classes.
Katniss was nervous every time someone offered to let her hold a baby, but Jensen was different. There was something about him that begged for her to hold him as Posy offered her a turn. Jensen looked Katniss with wide, attentive eyes. His tiny mouth was open just a little and he looked like he was about to say something.
"I know, right?" Katniss said with a smile as she sat back into the corner of the couch. He cooed softly and then let out a huge yawn. "You can sleep in my arms. Aunt Katniss doesn't mind."
After another yawn, Jensen turned his head to her chest, stuck his thumb in his mouth, and promptly fell asleep.
Prim sat beside her with a chuckle. "Looks like you're stuck for a while."
Katniss grinned. "Not a bad place to be caught."
Prim chewed her lip a moment and then leaned close. "This family's going to grow by one."
It took a moment for Katniss to process her sister's statement, but when she did she let out a surprised sound. "Really? When?"
"Early June." Prim grinned. She looked over to Rory and saw that he had a proud smile on his face as he talked with his siblings. His brothers patted his back and Posy gave him a warm hug.
"Did you already tell our in-laws?" Katniss asked.
Prim nodded. "As soon as we found out." She chewed her lip again. "Do you think Mom and Dad would be excited?"
"I'm sure they would be." Katniss pulled her close. "Congratulations, Little Duck." She kissed Prim's temple. "I'd offer you my maternity clothes, but Jessica got them and I think she gave everything to Posy. So talk to her."
"Speaking of talking." Prim reached out and gently lifted Jensen out of Katniss's arms. "Go be social for once. I'll put this little guy in his crib."
Katniss heaved a sigh and pushed herself up from the couch. She stepped toward the cluster of Hawthorne siblings and wrapped her arm around Gale's waist. He returned her embrace and kissed her temple. Katniss looked up at Rory. "Congrats. Prim just told me."
Rory beamed again. "Thanks. We're trying to keep it a little low-key."
"Won't be for long. These people can't keep a secret to save their lives." Katniss patted Gale's chest, leaving her hand resting there for a moment as she listened to the siblings complain to her comment.
When Madge came in the house a moment later, all of the kids flocked to her.
Katniss noticed that Madge and Gale locked eyes as soon as she came further into the room. After several seconds, Gale looked away. There was something odd in it that she never noticed before. It was like Gale had to force his gaze to go elsewhere. Was it always like that between them?
Katniss laid her hand on Posy's arm to get her attention. "Prim put Jensen to bed."
Posy looked relieved. "Good. He barely slept last night. And I was up late trying to finish a paper that was due by midnight. We're both exhausted, but I couldn't get him to relax."
"Probably too tired." Gale said. "Becca's always been like that."
Katniss nodded. "There was one week Gale and I got maybe two hours of sleep a night total. We just took turns trying to sooth her while the other one dozed. I don't know how we made it."
Gale chuckled. "Good luck, Rory. I think it's a Hawthorne trait."
Rory blanched. "I don't know if I'm ready for that."
Madge stepped over. "You guys always cluster up. Even though you see each other every single day."
"Got to catch up on the family gossip." Gale said with a grin. Was there an extra gleam in his eye as he looked at her?
Everyone passed out hugs with the new arrival. Was it just Katniss seeing things when she saw Madge's hand touch the back of Gale's neck? And what was that look that passed between them as she backed away?
It was gone almost as soon as Katniss noticed it. Madge was all smiles as she hugged Katniss. "I love your hair today." Madge said.
"Thanks." Katniss said as she smoothed her hand over her wavy tresses. She'd really not done much to it except braid it when it was wet before she went to sleep. When she woke up and brushed it out, it had naturally fallen in waves around her shoulders. Gale suggested she keep it down for the day and, since she rarely did, she agreed.
Conversation moved on and the groups dispersed around the room. Katniss sat beside Vick's wife Jessica for a while. Having two sets of twins under five caused the other woman to have a permanent harried look about her.
Katniss chuckled and patted her leg. "Isn't it supposed to be easier when there's more than three?"
Jessica rolled her eyes and took a sip of coffee.
Prim sat down across from them and started talking about baby stuff.
Katniss tried to pay attention, but she noticed Madge and Gale exchanging looks from across the room before they both left in opposite directions. What was that about?
All the sudden, the heavy feeling she'd been having all week became more pressing. The spot in the center of her chest where she felt the rope pull every time she was near Peeta felt like it was a weight pushing her down. She'd tried talking to him a few times to ask if he was okay, but he always told her he was fine.
Katniss excused herself and went to the bathroom. She took out her phone and typed, I don't think you're fine. Please don't tell me that this time. Tell me what I can do to help. She sent the message and stepped out of the bathroom.
Down the hall, she saw them together. Madge had a pleading look on her face and Gale's was almost defeated.
"Don't do this here Madge." Gale said softly. "Just go home. Make up an excuse."
"How can you stand it, Gale?" Madge asked. "For the line to just snap like that all the time? Doesn't it hurt you? Because it sure as hell hurts me." She stepped back.
Katniss's phone went off and both of them turned their guilty gazes toward the sound. Madge looked back up at Gale and then wandered off without another word.
"Hey, Catnip." Gale said, walking over. "Everything okay?"
"I could ask the same of you." Katniss leaned back against the wall. "I know I asked you before, but are you and Madge—"
"We're not having an affair." He snapped.
She reached out and touched his arm. "You know I already told you I'd understand."
"No, Katniss." He said softly. "That wouldn't be okay."
She opened her mouth to say more, but Gale stopped her with a kiss. He buried his fingers in her hair as he deepened it. It was almost desperate. Katniss clutched at his shirt. It was bad she was thinking about Peeta.
Her eyes popped open. Peeta. Her mind whispered something to her that she couldn't quite catch because of Gale's lips pressed so hotly against hers.
He eventually broke the kiss and whispered against her lips. "I love you, Katniss." There was that desperation again.
"I love you too." She whispered back, pressing close for one more brush of her lips against his. Why did it feel like she was trying to convince herself?
They walked together into the chaos of a Hawthorne gathering. Hazelle called that it was almost time to eat.
Katniss and Gale stuck close for the rest of the afternoon, his hand slipped into hers. What was that look on Madge's face?
Katniss walked toward the kitchen with the last of the dishes and paused. She heard hushed voices on the other side of the door. One she recognized well: Gale.
He said, "You can't keep doing it, Madge."
"What am I supposed to do? Act like you have the plague or something?" The other person, Madge, snapped.
"What's the holdup, Katniss?" Prim said loudly from behind Katniss.
Before Katniss could respond, Madge rushed out of the kitchen past them, calling out, "I'll see you guys later."
Katniss watched her go in confusion. What the hell was going on with Gale and Madge? She felt like she should know. If felt familiar somehow…
Gale stepped out and cupped Katniss's cheek. He leaned down and whispered, "I love you, Catnip."
She didn't have a chance to respond because he kissed her. He'd been doing that a lot more lately. But maybe that was because of how forward she was with her affections compared to the past. She really couldn't help that because she dreamed about being Aida every night. The affair with Radames was intense and it only left her feeling raw and hungry for more in her waking hours.
He walked away, trailing his fingers down her arm as he went.
She washed up the last of the dishes, thinking about the exchange she's overheard. What had that been about?
Then she remembered how Madge had innocently patted Gale's hand earlier in the day and he'd pulled away like he had been electrocuted.
Fortunately, with Madge's quick exit, Katniss didn't have to watch their odd interactions for the rest of the long evening. A part of her understood, but she couldn't quite figure out what it all meant. She knew she should, but there was too much going on around her to process it.
Becca curled up on Katniss's lap, something that was rare since Becca was her Daddy's girl. She yawned big and mumbled about how tired she was. Katniss looked across the room and saw that Gale had his two nieces on his lap. No wonder Becca had come over. Jealousy and exhaustion were big motivators.
Katniss and Gale locked eyes and then Katniss looked down at Becca, now asleep and snoring softly. When she looked back up at Gale, he nodded.
"Sam, give hugs and load up in the car." Gale said, placing Riley and Jessie on the floor.
Katniss attempted to stand, but Gale stopped her, scooping Becca up in one arm and then reaching out his free hand to help Katniss up.
Becca stirred a little as Katniss dressed her for bed, but she was so exhausted from playing with her cousins that she stayed out. Sam stumbled to her room and collapsed across her mattress. Gale removed her shoes and socks, rolled her under the blanket, and made his way to the room he shared with Katniss.
She'd followed his movements from the doorway to Becca's room. He looked so normal. Like he always did. But she knew it wasn't the same anymore. She just hadn't been able to pinpoint the differences because it had happened so gradually.
Stepping into their room, she closed the door and leaned against it. Gale smiled and pulled the blanket down.
"You and Madge are soulmates." Katniss said. There was no need to sugar coat it or ease into the conversation.
The look on Gale's face was resigned. "Yeah." He admitted softly.
She stepped toward the dresser and took out one if Gale's old shirts she'd long ago took over to sleep in. Holding it in her hands, she felt so many emotions. And not all bad. She changed, feeling his eyes on her the entire time. She said nothing else as she climbed into the bed, but she did wrap her arms around him.
"You're not mad?" He asked.
"I love you." She said softly. She felt a tightening in her throat. This wasn't something she was in any mood or position to discuss, but she knew she had to. "Prim said she wanted to take the girls shopping tomorrow and I told her that you and I would talk about it. I think with them gone and us not working it would be the perfect time to discuss this. I'm too tired to get into anything deep tonight. Just know that I love you. And I'm not mad." She kissed his cheek and rolled away.
"I want to talk." Gale said softly.
Katniss considered it for a long time before she got out of bed to lock the door. "How long have you known?" She asked as she got back into the bed. "She's worked with us for a while, so when did it happen?" She tried very hard to keep the accusation out of her voice, but she knew it was still there.
Gale took a deep breath and sat against the headboard. "Do you remember that party at my parents' house right before we found out about Becca? Sam was still pretty small and she was all over Rory."
"I think I remember." She said slowly.
Gale swallowed. "Madge was walking past me. She tripped. I caught her." He looked away and she could hear a thick quality to his voice. "My arm tingled."
Katniss reached out and touched his shoulder. "That's more than five years."
He nodded. "I'm sorry." His eyes were still down.
"I'm really not mad. Just..." She let out a long breath. "I don't know how we could have changed it."
He dragged his eyes up to hers. "I should have told you. I had so many chances, but I was scared."
She reached up and touched his cheek, resting her head against his. "It's okay." She whispered. She felt his tears falling down his face and she allowed her own to fall.
"I really am sorry, Katniss." Gale said, pulling away. "I should have figured out a way to tell you sooner."
"It's fine." Katniss said slowly. "I've been keeping something from you too. Not nearly as long, but..." She took in a deep breath. "You know Becca's friend Callie?"
Gale nodded.
"Her dad Peeta… He's my soulmate." It was such a relief to finally get it all out.
The impact of her words must have pulled something inside him and he tugged her hard against his chest. "I should have known." He whispered, relief filled his voice.
"Tell me." Katniss said softly. "Tell me about your past life."
Gale smiled and pulled her close to his side. "World War II. She was a nurse who helped me heal. We led a long, happy life. You?"
She could feel her face flushing. "Ancient Egypt. I was a slave and he was an explorer, I think. Someone important, anyway. I'm still trying to piece it together. He was engaged to someone else. But we had a very heated affair."
He looked down at her. "Is that why you've been so hot for me lately?"
She bit her lip and nodded.
His face fell. "I guess it's more hot for him, isn't it?"
Katniss shrugged.
Gale kissed her cheek before he got out of bed. "I'll sleep in the guest room tonight. We can talk more tomorrow."
She nodded. "Good night."
"Good night." He paused at the door. "We're going to stick together through this, right?"
"Yeah." She said. "Of course. We have our daughters and we work together. Whatever we decide, it will all be done as one. The best choices for us and our kids."
Gale nodded and left the room.
Katniss curled up and tried to sleep, but it didn't come easily. But when it did, everything suddenly made sense.